Automatic rapid-fire gun.



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(Mu Model.)

Patented Sept. 30, i902.

V. P. DE KNIGHT.

AUTMATIC RAPID FIRE GUN.

[Application led Sept. 12, 1900.)

-7 Sheets-Sheet' 2. y

(No Model.)

l! HI l Patented sept.l so, |902. v. P. mi KNIGHT.

AUTUMATIC RAPID FIRE GUN.

(No Model.)

(Application led Sept. 12, 1900.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F 1. v//////////////////// riff/rrr..ff/ffrrf/l/f/ )Naai TH: NonmsPETERS cc.A How-umn.. wAsmN'GYoN. D. c.

AVUTUMATIC `RAPID FIRE GUN.

(Application lod Sept. 12, 1900.)

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'"imlr 1 um IH l y @im No. 709,88l. v Patented Sept. 30, |902.

V. P. DE KNIGHT.

AUTOMATIC' RAPID FIRE GUN.

(Application l'd Sept. 12, 1900.) (Nn Model.) y n y 7 Sh'es-Sheet l5.

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Patented sept. v36,1902.

No. 709,aal.

l v. P. nE- KNIGHT. AUTOMITIJ` RAPID FIRE GUN.

[Application mea septu 12.11900.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

si) STATES' VICTOR P. DE KNIGHT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,AS`

SIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE VICTOR P. DE KNIGHT GUNCOMPANY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUM- BIA, A CORPORATION OFDELAWARE.

AUTOMATIC RAPlD-FIRE GUN.

SECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent'No. 709,881, dated September3(7), 1902. Application led September l2, 1900. Serial No. 29.854. (Nomodel.)

.To all whom/it Wmy concern.:

Beit known that LVIGTOR P. DE KNIGHT, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Washington, inthe District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Rapid-'Fire Guns; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, c'lear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to breech -loading ordnance or rapid fire`machine guns, and more particularly to gasoperated guns of the charactershown anyddesribed in a prior application filed by me September 5, 1900,Serial No. 29,072, though some features of my present invention aresusceptible of a general application and may be used with goed resultsin other classes of guns.

The primary objects of the present invention are to produce an efficientand durable rapid-fire gun consisting of a few strong and simple parts,rendering the gun as a whole comparatively light, to adapt the parts tobe readily and quickly assembled or detached, so as to facilitatecleaning or repairs, and `to renderV the operations of the gun directand to improve the general Yfeatures thereof over prior constructions ofsimilar character.

A further object is to provide reliable and efficient means foractuating the cartridgefeeding mechanism by the direct and positiveaction of the actuator for the breech mechanism, and likewise breech-block, breechblocklock, cartridge-depresso1,and actuating mechanism;all of which'parts shall be of the simplest order and without thenumerous and cumbersome details with which prior con- `trivances of asimilar character are usuallyy burdened, such mechanism being soconstructed as to insure the desired operation in firing eitherautomatically or at will.

A further object is to provide trigger and scar devices consisting of afew simple parts employing an easily-manipulated reciprocatingwedge-like extension or tongue adapted to release the firing-piu, whichis mounted in the breech-block in rigid connection with the stem ofthehammer, and to adapt the latter to'be positively held by the Sear to bereleased only when the breech-block is securely locked -in position.

` A further object is to utilize the retractile force of a spring whichserves as a buffer or cushion to receive the backward thrust of theactuator and breech-block as a means for impelling the hammer andfiring-pin when the latter is released by the sear.

The invention will hereinafter be rst more particularly described withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, and then pointed out in the claims at'the end of thedescription.

, In the drawings, in which corresponding parts in diiferent views aredenotedI by the same reference-letters, rFigure l represents a sideelevation ofamachine-gunembodying my invention, parts of theammunition-box and supporting-tripod being broken away. Fig. 2 is a topplan view of the gun. Fig. 3 is a front elevation thereof, partlyinsection. Fig. 4L is a vertical longitudinal sectional View through thereceiver, showing the breech-block locked in firing position and thering-pin in flight. Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view showing thebreech mechanism retracted to loading position with a cartridge inposition to be dropped down back of the cartridge-chamber and in advanceof the breech-block, also showing a portion of an ejectedcartridge-shell. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the receiver,showing the reciprocatory slide-bar or actuator Iadvanced and thecartridge-feed slide in position to permit a cartridge to be engaged bythe extractor-fingers carried by the actuator, part of therwater-jacketbeing broken away. Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the actuator in itsrearmost position. Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are cross-sections takenon the lilies VIII VIII, IX IX, X X, XI XI, and XII XII, respectively,of Fig. et. Fig. 13 is a detail side view of the cartridgefeedingdevices as shown looking into the feed-passage. Fig. 14 is a detailVertical sectional view, on a slightly-enlarged scale, through apart ofthe receiver,showing the cartridge depressing and rocking arm depressedwith its front end pointing a cartridge into the cartridge-chamber orbreech of the gun-barrel. Fig. 15 is a detail View, in horizontalsection, through a portion of the receiver, showing a cartridge-shell inthe act of being ejected. Fig. 16 represents a vertical sectional viewof the water-jacket and parts connected therewith broken away fromrearward integral parts. Fig. 17 is a plan view of the same partly inhorizontal section. Fig. 18 is a cross-section taken on the line XVIIIXVIII of Fig. 1. Figs, 19 and 2O are cross-sections taken on the linesXIX XIX and XX XX, respectively, of Fig. 16. Fig. 2l is a detail sideview, partly in section, of a broken-away portion of a modification ofthe Water-jacket and parts connected therewith. Fig. 2l is a detail Viewof the detachable hand-pull shown in Fig. 21. Fig. 22 is a perspectiveview of the reciprocatory structure, including the actuator and partsoperatively connected therewith, for actuating the cartridge feeding andbreech mechanism. Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the trigger devicesand sear detached. Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the gas-operatedpiston, having a cover and operating handle or pull-piece thereon. Figs.25 and 26 represent an inverted or bottom plan view and a sideelevation, respectively, of the cartridge-depressing rocking arm orlever. Fig. 27 is a rear view of the cartridge-depressing arm,indicating in dotted lines a connection between the same and theactuator for maintaining the arm in a raised or horizontal positionwhile the cartridge is being carried back to be placed in thecartridge-chamber; and Fig. 28 is a plan View of the breech-block.

In its general features and mode of operation the gun herein shown anddescribed is similar to the gun illustrated and described in myaforesaid pending application; but its operating parts have been greatlyreduced in number and the general arrangement and construction of partssimplified, thus reducing the original cost ot' manufacture, as well asthe cost of renewal and repairs, while increasing the efliciency of theapparatus and rendering it more reliable, accurate, and certain inoperation.

In the form here shown the gun is supported upon a tripod, which isdenoted by the letter A in the drawings, it being pivotally mounted uponthe upper end of a sleeve or hollow post ct, Fig. 3, which is rotatablyfitted upon the stem or reduced portion a of the tripod. An extensiblerod (t2, having a turnbuckle or other adjusting device thereon forvarying the length of the rod and thereby changing the elevation of thegun, may have one end pivoted to the receiver B,while its other end isdetachably connected by a suitable clamp or adjusting device a4 with anarm d5 projecting from the rotatable support or sleeve o, so that saidrod may be easily and quickly extended when it is desired to tilt orrock the gun on its pivot to a considerable extent for quickly varyingits inclination or elevation, the turnbuckle serving as a means forslowly changing the elevation in sighting an object.

The several parts of the gun are inclosed or housed within a casingconsisting of a receiver portion B in the form of an elongatedtrough-like body, open at its top and rear end and adapted to receivethe breech mechanism, and a water-jacket B', in which the gun-barrel C,gas-conduit, and piston-cylinder D are inclosed, said jacket beingprovided with a suitably-located Water orifice or inlet which may beclosed by a removable stopper, as shown at b. The receiver may be of anysuitable construction to accommodate the operating mechanism, but ispreferably provided With a removable top plate or cover b, which may behinged or pivoted at one end to the forward portion of the receiver anddetachably secured atjits other end to the wedge-block at the rear endof the receiver, so as to provide easy access to the breech mechanismcontained within the receiver. The water-jacket B is preferably formedintegrally with and as a continuation or forward extension of thereceiver, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) and, as will be seen, the construction issuch thata space of considerable extent is provided in the upper portionof the receiver to permit a long spring to be used for impelling theactuator, thus prolonging the life of the spring, while the interior ofthe hollow structure or casing is suitably partitioned and divided intofront and rear compartments, adapted for the attachment ofthe operatingmechanism and to separate the water in said jacket from such mechanism.

The gun-barrel C is exteriorlyscrew-threaded, as shown at c, at itsbreech end and screwed home in a similarly interiorly th readed boreformed therefor in the lower solid front portion of the receiver. Theforward end of the barrel protrudes through the front closed end of thewater-jacket, and to effect a proper closure about the same said barrelwhere it passes through said jacket may be slightly enlarged andscrew-threaded, and a threaded collar c, tightly fitting an openingtherefor in the jacket, may be applied to said threaded portion of thebarrel, fitting against a shoulder c2 thereon and secured iu place by ajam-nut c3, as shown by my pending renewed application, Serial No.34,803, originally tiled July 28,1898. At an intermediate portion thegun-barrel passes through a socket or sleeve formed, preferably,integrally with the jacket and at the lower end of a hollow post orcoupling-piece d making connection with the forward end of thegas-conduit D, and said barrel is provided with a port or aperture,which, when the barrel is screwed j home in the receiver, registers withthe bore of said post or coupling-piece d, thereby establishingcommunication between the bore of the gun-barrel and the gas-conduit. Aplug or choker d in the form of a setscrew entered through an aperturein the cas- ICO ing or water-jacket extends into the opening throughsaid hollow post or coupling, so that the size of Ithe opening throughwhich the gases of discharge escape from the gun into the gas-conduitmay be reduced Aor enlarged to regulate the volume of gas acting uponthe plunger. A gas-conduit of any suitable form may be secured withinVthe water-jacket; but such conduit is preferably compounded with orformed as an integral part of the waterjacket and has an elongated slitor narrow slot in the upper side thereof extending through the casing toreceive a thin web or connecting por-tion e, by which a sliding cover Eis joined to the piston E, said'cover in the normal position of thepartsbeing adapted to cover the slit -or opening in the gas-conduit andbeing provided with a handle orpull-piece e by which it may be manuallyoperated, so that the piston may be operated by hand when it is desiredto operate the gun by manual instead of automatic action. provide meansfor the escape of burned powder, dac., when the gun is discharged, Ipref erably cut away a portion of the water-jacket or casing, asindicated in dotted lines at a: in

Figs. 16 and 17 so as to provide an outletl into the open air at a pointimmediately back of the reduced section cl2 of the gas-conduit in whicha reducedportion c2 ofthe piston E is fitted, said opening being closedby the forward portion of the cover E when the pis ton is in itsforemostand normal position.

The piston E preferably consists for the sake of lightness of a mainhollow portion fitting the cylindrical portion proper of the gas-conduitand terminating in a reduced solidextensione?, which in thenormalposition of the parts occupies the reduced portion of the forward partof said conduit, as shown more clearly in Fig. 16.

The water-jacket in addition to its usual functions may contain one ormore tubes F, provided withscrew-caps or other suitable covers for theouter ends thereof and adapted to receive an oiler, cleaning material,dac. In Fig. 17 I haveshown one of such caps (denoted by thereferenceletter I) constructed with a tubular extension t' to form anoil-tube, in the open end of which is fitted a reversible apertured plugfi', having a drip-tube 2,4

which extends back into the tube and may bear against a washer i3 toprevent the es'cape of the oil. By removing the yoil-tube from thecasing, or water-jacket itvmay be used for oiling the gun by slightlyunscrewing the apertured plug t', or when it is desired that the oil mayexude drop by drop upon the su-rface to be oiled said plug is unscrewedand turned' end for end, so that the tube 112 may be utilizedas the exitend of the oiler. That portion ofthe gas conduit or cylinder whichcontains the piston proper is preferably cylindricaland'extends back asuitable distance to adapt the piston on its backward movelnent tocontact with the forward end of the actuator or reciprocatorybar G forbackward impulsion of thelatter. The water-jacket is preferably taperedfrom its junction with the receiver, at which point the latter issuitably chamberedto provide a passageLway for the cartridge-belt and toreceive a transverselyreciprocating feed-slide and the forward portionof the longitudinally-reciprocating actu-y ator G, the passage for thelatter being a continuation of the rear portion ofthe gas conduit orcylinder E, which continuation is 'ing the wedge-block to receive theforce of the blow from the backward stroke of the gas-impelled structureor actuator and breechblock, to be presently described, `without dangerof breaking or separation from the receiver. The rear end of thewedge-block may be conveniently provided with ahandle or grip-piece hand sock'eted to receive a buffer h', which is backed by a spring h2 insaid socket, so as to cushion the piston-operated structure on itsbackward stroke, the force exerted in compressing said spring beingsubsequently utilized in actuating the firingpin.

The top plate or-cover b, hinged or pivoted at its forward end, may beconveniently secured at its rear end in any suitable manner, butpreferably by means of an apertured lug depending therefrom entering asocket in the Wedge-piece H to receive a fastening-pin entered throughthe receiver, so as to secure the top plate,wedgeblock, and receivertogether. For convenience in removing the cover its forward end may beformed with a bifurcated portion or tongue b2, fitting betweenupstanding apertured lugs or ears on the receiver, through which isinserted the fastening-pin b3, the latter being attened between saidears, so that when screwed home it is adapted to hinge and confine thecover to the casing or receiver; but when the latter is raised to aVertical position the iattened portion of the fastening-pin will pass'through the slotted tongue or bifurcated portion of the cover,permitting the latter to be removed without removing the pivot-pin. Thespring g for end toa depending lug on the forward end ofthe'cover, whileits rear end is secured to an arm or lug at the rear end of theactuator, such connections being readily'detachable,

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impelling the actuator may be secured at one so that by disengaging theconnection with the actuator the spring may be removed or turned up outof the way with the cover to afford access to other parts in thereceiver. The actuator G may be conveniently braced and guidedin itsreciprocatory movements by lateral projections or tongues g thereon atits rear and intermediate portions con fined in longitudinal guidewaysat each side of the receiver, which guideways maybe conveniently formedby longitudinal strips, grooves, or ribs b4 above and below said lateralprojections or tongues. In order to strengthen the walls of the receiverand brace the same against forces from within or without, the cover ispreferably provided on the under side thereof near its edges withlongitudinal grooves to receive corresponding tongues or ribs on thesides or upper edges of the receiver around the top thereof, as shownmore clearly in Figs. 8 to l2.

The gas-conduit through which the gases of discharge are conveyed fromthe muzzle end of the gun-barrel to the operating or breech mechanismpreferably occupies the upper portion of the water-jacket and may becompounded therewith, though itmay be formed in a separate part andotherwise located and secured therein. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, thewater-jacket and gas-conduit are formed integrally with the couplingpiece or post which spans theinterior of the jacket, said conduit havinga reduced portion to receive the stem e2 of the piston E and continuingthence in cylindrical form for a sui'iicient distance to provide asuitable cylinder for said piston, and also cut out at the top, asbefore stated, at the point ac to provide for the escape of the spentgases and smoke and burned powder from the gas-conduit.

In Fig. 2l I have shown a water-jacket formed in different diameters ortwo tapered sections Bz B3, the latter being a continuation of theformer, but of reduced diameter, and a cylinder D for the gas-operatedpiston formed integrally with the larger section B2 and terminating at apoint considerably removed from and disconnected with the gasconduitproper, which in this instance may take the form of an elbow D2, formedintegrally with the smaller section B3 of the water-jacket and having ahorizontal portion adapted to receive the forward reduced end of thepiston E2, the conduit D2 communicating with the bore of the gun-barrelthrough a tubular plug D3, entered through one arm of the elbow-shapedgas pipe or conduit and provided with a port communicating with thelatter and regulated bya valve or choker D4, as described with referenceto Fig. 16. This construction provides for the free escape of the spentgases and smoke and burned powder from the gas-conduit directly into theopen air without liability of being blown into the cylinder. The pistonE2 in said modification is made solid and provided with a hand-pullorhandle e3, inserted through a mortise or slot therein and adapted tobe readily inserted or withdrawn when not in use. To prevent loss incase of dropping out when the gun is in automatic action, this hand-pullmay be attached to a chain e4, one end of which is secured to thewater-jacket in order that it may be kept in convenient reach for usewhen desired. W'hen the piston or plunger E or E2 is acted upon by thegases of discharge, it slides back, so that its reduced end or portionis entirely clear of the forward portion or section of the gas-conduitat the side of the cut-- out or space opposite the cylinder for thegasoperated piston, and thus a free escape for the spent gases, dac.,into the open air is provided, which are thus carried 0E from the guninstead of entering the receiver, Where they would blacken and otherwiseinjure the operating mechanism contained therein. The slide-bar G oractuator above mentioned constitutes one'member or part of thegas-impelled structure, which is impelled backwardly at each dischargeof the gun and then impelled forwardly by the retractile force of aspring in which power is stored by the backwardly-impelling force, thuseffecting abackward and forward or reciprocating movement of theactuator at each discharge of the gun, so as to effect the reloading andfiring either automatically or by hand. It will be observed that bymeans of the front and rear lateral projections or tongues g on the barG, fitting between the longitudinal guides or grooves in the sides ofthe receiver, said bar is braced and supported at its intermediateportion and at a point where lateral strain thereagainst is greatest toprevent warping and bending thereof by the strains exerted against thebar at each discharge of the gun, thus obviating the necessity foradditional means for bracing said slide-bar. If made in one integralstructure of the required length, the slide-bar or actuator and pistonunder the strain to which the actuator is subjected will be liable to beinjured by bending or warping at the junction of said parts, and hencethey are preferably made separate or independent, which also lessens thecost of manufacture. The blow of the backward stroke of the bar G isreceived by the safetyblock H through the medium of the cushioningdevice or buer in said block, as before mentioned. Said bufferpreferably consists of a reciprocatory tubular body 71', backed by aspring h2 and having a slot 77.3 therein to receive a set-screw or pinh4, by which the forward movement of the buer is limited, though othersuitable cushioning means may be employed.

A Arearward stroke of the barG is necessary for the loading of the gun,and in the present instance the manipulative means employed foreffecting such stroke at the outset may consist of a simple hand-pull orhandle e', Figs. 16 and 17, or e3, Fig. 21a, carried by the piston orplunger, as hereinbefore eX- plained, though in some cases it may bedesirable to connect such hand-pull directly with the actuator G, as inmy aforesaid application, such handle extending through a slot in theside of the receiver. With this construction a rearward stroke of thebar G may be obviously effected by means of the IOO los

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. siderable extent.

prevent them from acting against the plunger.

The cartridges are fed to the gun in a belt J, to each side of whichthey project to a con- Said belt passes transversely through thereceiver in a passageway formed over the rear portion of the gunbarrel,as shown, suitable openings being provided in the receiver for theentrance and exit of the cartridge-containing and empty portions of thebelt, respectively. At the Side where the belt enters the solid lowerportion of the receiver is preferably formed or provided with a lateralcurved or rounded projection j, over which the belt slides smoothlyintoits passage-way, and above said projection with a horizontal ledge orlateral extensionj, which may terminate at its forward end in theupright portion or sightjzand at its rear end in a downwardly-turnedportion uniting with the projection j, thus fortning a casing for theentrance of the belt. support the belt so as to reduce the weight of theportion to be carried by the feed-slide and also to protect the same,said belt is preferablycontained in a feed-box J', which may besupported from the projection j of the receiver, said feed-box having aninternal lug or cleat engaging a supporting-lug on the projection j, asshown in Fig. 3, while its lower portion bears against the tubularsocket d through the medium of an interposed friction-roller a2, pivotedin ears or lugs on said socket, as shown in Fig. 3, the feed-box beingthus readily detach able. The passage-way between the openings throughthe receiver-walls is suitably channeled to accom mod ate thecartridge-belt, while the cartridges ride upon ledges js, left ,alongeach side ot' said channel and of sufficient height to slightly raisethe belt to prevent frictional contact thereof with the bottom of thepassage, the forward one of said ledges being preferably higher thantheother, so that the cartridge, resting with its anged head ontherearward ledge and its ball ou the other, will be held horizontal. Saidledges may merge outwardly into the cu rvedlsurface of the projectionand terminate in internal stops or shouldersj4 within the receiver, oneor both of which may be provided with an outwardly-projecting portionadapted to overlie the cartridge entering beneath it to yprevent thelatter from rising, said shoulders and ledges thus forming a throat toreceive the cartridge, as illustrated in Fig. 1l. The ledges js alsopreferablyy converge slightly toward their Vinner terminals, so that`the rear stop or shoulder is left considerablyA forward of the flangedhead of the cart ridge, where it will not interfere with the action ofthe extractor-fingers in extracting the cartridge from the belt.

The letter K denotes the feed-slide, which is slidably supported bysuitable means within a slot or recess 7s above the passage-way throughthe receiver and equipped with a spring-pressed feed-dog k', which when`the slide moves outward slips past the cartridge next to be advanced,while on the inward movement said dog drops down far enough toeffectively engage the belt back of the pocket containing said cartridgeto shove the belt the required distance into the receiver, the saidfeed-dog being preferably positioned to act against the cartridge whichis to be extracted. Backward movement of the cartridgebelt duringoutward movement of the feed-slide may be prevented by means of suitablespring-pressed pawls or catches k2, pivoted in slots or recesses in theledge or horizontal projectionjand arranged to stand behind thecartridge next to the one being extracted.

A reciprocatory movement is imparted to the feed-slide for the purposeof feeding the belt of cartridges by the direct action of thereciprocatory actuator or slide-bar G, and to this end a forwardextension or part g2, forming a continuation of said .slide-bar, may bepassed through a slot in said feed-slide, so that when the actuator isadvanced or moved forward the cartridge-belt will be advanced or movedso as to place a cartridge in position to be extracted by means carriedby said actuator. In the form shown the continuation or extension gz'ofthe actuator is in the shape of an angle-bar having a main horizontalportion and a pendent portion or ange g3, Fig. 6, fitting acorrespondingly-shaped slot or recess inthe feed-slide, so as to providea shoulder 7c3 on the slide at one side of said flange, which shoulderis preferably rounded for engagement. with said flange, while africtionroller 7154 maybe journaled on the opposite side to engage theopposite side ofthe ange or edge of the actuating bar, said dangeserving as a cam to move the feed slide back and forth the actuatoritself is rethe actuator. The [lange or cam portion g3 may consist,essentially, of a part lying parallel with the actuator adapted to holdthe feed-slide stationary at the limit of its ,inward or forwardmovement and an inprovided between the feed-slide and actuatorl foreffecting a reciprocatory movement of the former across the path of thelatter by the direct action of the actuator; but the construction shownis simple and may be advantageously employed. The part g2 for the sakeof lightness and strength may be made IOO IIO

`ciprocated across the path of movement of LII comparatively wide andprovided with a series of perforations therethrough decreasing indiameter from the wider toward the narrower portion thereof, as shown inFigs. 6 and 7. The feed-dog carried by the feed-slide is preferablyprovided with a finger-piece or extension, so that in case twocartridges have been fed at the same time into the throat of the passagefor the cartridge belt by improper manipulation of the hand-pull orhandle on the piston or plunger said dog may be raised to permit it toride over the second cartridge, which may then drop back to its properplace, said dog being spring-pressed and adapted to yield to permit thedog to slip easily past The cartridge next to be advanced by it.

It will be observed that the feed-dog engages the cartridge-belt on theforward movement of' the feed -slide about midway the cartridge, thusobviating the necessity of using more than one feed-dog, though morethan one may be employed, if desired, and said dog is also positionedont of the way of the extractor-ngers, so as not to interfere with theirmovementin extracting a cartridge from the belt. It will also beobserved that the feed-dog is here shown positioned to act against thecartridge which is to be extracted instead of the one next to the same,such construction permitting the use of a very short feed-slide,conducing to compactness and dispensing with an abutment-piece at thetail end of the belt for the dog to engage when feeding the lastcartridge into the throat. By the described construction a strong anddurable connection is made between the actuator and the feed-slide,While the number of parts is reduced to a minimum. Any suitable meansmay be employed for extracting the cartridge from the belt; but Ipreferably employ extractor-fingers M, supported upon the actuator G, asshown in Fig. 1l and particularly described in my above-namedapplication, said fingers being provided with inwardly-extendingportions, which are pivoted together, as shown, and a spring m', securedat one end to one of the fingers, while its free end bears against theother finger, tending to normally press the lingers together or towardeach other. Inward movement of the fingers is limited by contact withthe sides of the bar G and outward movement by contact with the sides ofthe vertical slots or openings in the actuator, through which saidfingers may extend, as shown. These fingers are so positioned withreference to the movement of the feed-slide that upon the forward strokeot' the bar G a cartridge will be lodged in the throat just before beingreached by said 1ingers and the inner oblique faces of the iingerscontact with the head of the cartridge, the spring fm yielding to permitthe lowermost edges thereof to pass the flange, so that upon rearwardmovement of the bar G the fingers will extract the cartridge from thebelt and carry it to a point back of the gunbarrel to be placed inposition to be shoved into the cartridge-chamber by the forward movementof the breech-lock. To this end a suitable chamber or slideway N isprovided in the bottom of the receiver in alinement with the gun-barrel,but of larger bore than said barrel, said chamber being provided in itsupper portion just back of the gun-barrel or breech with an opening n ofsufficient size to permit the passage of the cartridge except at therear end of said opening, where ribs or protuberances n form acontraction thereof to prevent the flange of the cartridge from passingthrough when in its rearmost position, so that the cartridge may restwith its anged head on said ribs, as indicated in Fig. 14, from whichposition when moved slightlyzforward said hanged head will clear theribs fn. and allow the cartridge to drop down into the chamber inposition to be advanced by the breech-block and shoved into thecartridge-chamber n2.

The'letter O denotes the rocking arm or depressor, by means of which thecartridge is lowered from the extractor-fingers on the rearward movementofthe breech-block and directed into the chamber or slideway N, said armbeing pivoted a short distance back of the rear end of the opening n. Inthe form shown the arm is provided with a tubular portion 0 to receivethe pivot-pin in the form of a thumb-bolt to adapt it to be easilyremoved, said pivot-pin entering suitable apertures in the receiver andbridging the slideway N. The arm O is arranged so that it may be heldnormallyin substantially ahorizontal position, and its lower side ispreferably dished or concave to conform to the curvature of thecartridge and slightly inclined or tapered from the rear thereof. Itsforward end when the arm is elevated or raised will occupy such arelation to the extractor-ngers M that the latter in moving rearward mayengage the iiange of the cartridge and carry it underneath the arm inposition to be deposited or dropped down into the slideway or chamberdirectly in rear of the cartridgechamber. To depress said arm for thepurpose of directing the cartridge into the chamber or slideway N, withits front end pointed and in position to enter the cartridge-chamber, asindicated in Fig. 5, a lug or projection o' on the arm O back of itspivot is adapted to engage a longitudinal groove or slotp in thebreech-block P, said groove terminating in a cam portion or incline p ata point adapting it on the backward movement of the breech-block toengage said projection o and depress the arm the instant the latter isreleased by the actuator or slide-bar G, as will be explained in amoment. A second lug or projection 02, depending from the rocking arm infront of its pivot, is adapted to engage a slot or groove p2 in thebreech-block P, running parallel with the groove p and terminating in acam portion or incline p3, oppositely arranged with respect to the in-IOO IOS

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. clearly in Figs. LL, 5, and 14.

clear the space for the cartridge, and said arm is raised to ahorizontal position when the breech-block advances for the purpose ofshoving the cartridge into the cartridge-chamber and at the same timepositioning the arm to receive another cartridge to be extracted onthebackward movement of the actuator.

.It will be observed that when the arm`is de- Ypressed by thebreech-block the cartridge will be thrown into a position with its frontend in line with the bore of the barrel or cartridge-chamber, said armthus constituting a guide for pointing the cartridge and insuring itsproper entrance into said chamber as the breech-block is advanced, asindicated in Fig. l-l. In order to retain the arm for the proper lengthof time in either its raised or depressed position, so as toinsure `theproper manipulation of the cartridge for pointing and directing it intothe cartridge-chamber, said arm is adapted to be positively engaged bythe actuator and held up or in its horizontal position, and also in itsdepressed position, as the actuator is reciprocated. For this purpose Ihave devised a very simple contrivance, the construction and operationof which are illustrated more As shown in said figures, a dependingportion g4 of the actuator or slide Gis provided with aT-shaped slotopen at both ends and adapted to receive a similarly-shaped upstandingprojection or cross-head oson the arm o when the breechblock andactuator are moving backward and the arm is in its normal horizontalposition, thus holdingthe arm uporin a raised position until theengaging parts between the same and Hthe actuator are released ordisconnected,

whereupon the breech-block will have traveled sufficiently backward toprovide a clearance in the chamber back of the breech to receive thecartridge, and the cartridge-depressing arm will then be tripped by thebreech-block,

" pointing and directing the cartridge into the cartridge-chamber, asindicated in Fig. 5. To maintain the arm in the latter position untilthe fore end of the cartridge has ent-ered the cartridge-chamber, theunder side of the part g4 of the actuator is adapted to engage acam-like surface on the projection or crosshead oswhen the actuatormoves forward, as indicated in Fig. 14, thus preventing the arm Y fromrising until disengaged by the actuator,

at which time the breech-block will have shoved and seated the cartridgein the car.- tridge-chamber sufficiently to permit the arm to beraised,and thereupon the arm willbe released by the actuator and raisedby the breech-block into position'to receive another cartridge. By thissimple means the breechblock and actuator are adapted to coact inpositively placing 'the cartridge and pointing it in position to bepushed into the cartridgechainberand in inaintainingthecartridge-depressing arm immovable in either a raised or depressedposition. To prevent too sudden or violent action and consequent injuryto the parts, the cani-surfaces or inclines on the breech-block will ofcourse have such slant that the arm will be raised and lowered graduallyduring the movements of the breechblock,but properly and accurately andin time to be engaged by the actuator, while the latter will release thearm in proper time to be actuated by the breech-block. The extent towhich the arm may be rocked may be limited by contact of its under sideportions with the top plate of the chamber N, the tubular portion obeing lower than said contacting portions and occupying a tubularbearing or depression in said top plate. This construction is strong andefficient and avoids the necessity for extra limiting-stops. Forconvenient use as a screw-driver, when needed the forward end oftherocking arm may have a screw-driver point, and when detached theprojecting journal portion o will serve as a handle for thescrew-driver.

The breech-block P may be of the form shown or of any suitableconstruction. As shown, it carries a rearward npstanding arm p4, whichprojects through au elongated slot n3 in the upper side of the chamber Nand is formed at its upper end with bifurcations 195, which looselyembrace the bar or actuator G between therear guide or cross-head andthe shoulders g5 thereof, so that the bar G travels a certain distancein both its rearward and forward movements before the breech-block ismoved, the U-shaped construction of the head of the arm p4 permittingthe breech-block to be readily detached from said bar. The

breech-block is centrally bored to receive the` firing-pin and stem R ofthe hammer, connected thereto or integral therewith, which firing-pinand stem extend through said block, forward movement of the hammer beingproperly limited by reason of the abutment of the IIO forward end of itsstem against a shoulder within the breech-block, and, if desired, anenlarged portion fr at the rear end of said stem and which may be styledthe hammer proper may abut the rear end of the breechblock or othersuitable stop. The hammerstem is also provided with a cross-head r',here shown formed on the enlarged portion r, said cross-head iitting thechamber N and having a lug or projection r2, projectingthrougha slot orgroove r3, provided therefor in said chamber, which lug when thebreech-block carries the hammer to its rearward position, Fig. 5, slipspast the beveled or inclined portions of a scar S, suitably pivotedinside of the re- A breech-block is engaged and held by the sear untilreleased. The lug r2 also serves as a guide to prevent the hammer fromturning. The hammer is normally pressed forward by means of thebuffer-spring in the wedge-block H, the buier being provided with adepending arm or lug h5, which stands behind the cross-head r', so thatsaid buffer-spring is held compressed solongasthe hammeris restrained bythe sear, this construction thus dispensing with extra parts forimpelling the hammer forward when the sear is tripped and utilizing theactuator and breech-block cushioning devices for actuating thetiring-pin. To each side of the arm p is pivoted an arm or bi'fu rcationof a breech-block locking-piece T, movable with and behind thebreech-block and having a depending flange or stop t to limit thedownward movement of the arm and take the strain od the pivot-bolt. Theparttrnay be slidable as a guide in the slot n3, which slot is enlargedat a suit-able point, as at n4, to permit the rear end of saidlocking-piece T to drop down fai-enough to lock the breech-block in itsforemost or firing position, as shown in Fig. et. Said locking-piece hastwo forwardlycurved arms t', (though one might be used,) which when thebar G moves rearward are encountered by a releasing device t2, carriedby an arm t3, depending from the actuator G or the rear cross-headthereof, the said arm t3 enteringbetween thesaid curved armst'(when twoarms are used) and the lugs or cams t2 beneath them, thus lifting thelocking-piece and unlocking the breech-block, which when the shouldersg5 of the actuator encounter the upstanding arm p is slid rearward.

The sear S has a tailpiece or extension s' at the opposite side of itspivot, and said sear is normally pressed downward by means of a latspring s2, preferably formed integrally therewith and adjacent itspivot, said spring pressing upon a rod or trigger-piece U,which has awedge portion u at its forward end in contact with the tailpiece s ofthe sear. The trigger-piece U is entered into the receiver from achamber in the wedge-block H, where it is attached to the trigger V, thetrigger being slidable in said chamber and normally pressed forward by asuitable spring, as r. A lug or pin t4 projects from one of the arms t'of the locking-piece T, before mentioned, so as to overlie the rod ortriggerpiece and ride against the same when the breech-block movesforward. (See Figs. 6 and 9.) While the trigger remains in its normalposition the sear remains in position to prevent releasing of thehammer; but on pulling the trigger the wedge portion of thetrigger-piece U is drawn toward the pivot of the sear, entering betweenthe nger ti of the breech-block locking-piece and the tailpiece s of thesear, thus rocking the sear on its pivot and releasing the ham mer,sothat the firing-pin may be driven against the cartridge, which operationwill be repeated in automatic action each time the locking-piece T locksthe breech-block until the trigger is released. It will thus be seenthat very simple and effective firing mechanism is provided, while theparts are few in number and compactly arranged. The disposition of theparts above the chamber N also obviates the necessity of providing anadditional chamber to house the same, reducing the size of the receiver,and said mechanism is readily accessible through the top of thereceiver, thus dispensing with extra removable plates, as where themechanism is arranged below the breechblock. When the gun worksautomatically, the blow of the shoulders g4 of the bar G against the armp4 of the breech-block is sufficient to shove the Abreech-block to thelimit of its rearward movement, so that the cross-head r of the hammer Ris carried behind the sear, as explained; but when the gun is manuallyoperated said cross-head may not be carried behind the sear, and a notchs3 is therefore preferably provided in the beveled edge of the sear toengage the lug r2 and restrain the hammer when the gun is so operated.

The breech-block may also be provided with a spring-pressed finger orcatch Q for extracting the empty cartridge-shell on the backwardmovement of the breech-block, and for coperation therewith in ejectingthe empty shell a set-screw g may be entered through an aperture in theside of the casing, with its inner end protruding into the chamber endin position to engage the head of the shell as the breech-block movesback, so that said shell will be ejected through a suitable opening, asat q in the receiver, just before the breech-block reaches the limit ofits rearward movement (see Fig. l5) and while the next cartridge isstill above the chamber formed between the breech and breech-block.

The cartridge having been delivered by the arm O into the position shownin Fig. 5 with its point or bullet end resting upon a suitable seat orguide at the entrance to the cartridgechamber, it will be encountered bythe breechblock on the forward movement of the latter and slid alonguntil its flanged head clears the ribs n', whereupon the cartridge willdrop down in front of the breech-block, its flanged head entering thecircular recess therein, and said recess will close upon said head,owing to the high speed of the breech-block. The ball end of thecartridge being properly supported upon the fixed guide or seat at theentrance to the cartridge-chamber and of suitable height to direct thecartridge into said chamber, the cartridge will be thus properly pointedand pushed into proper place to receive the impact of the firing-pin.The forward part of the breech-block on its under side may be cut away,as shown in Fig. 5, so as to ride over the guide or seat for the pointedend of the cartridge at the entrance to the cartridge-chamber. Vhen thebreech-block lock closes the breech, the catch Q will snap over theflange of the cartridge and on the IOO IIO

rearward movement of the block 4will'extract the empty'shell, which'willbe ejected, as already explained, by contactwith the screw q,

` the side of the breech-block adjacent to said the lug or projection r2on the cross-head ofV the hammer. When the arm WV is in a verticalposition, as shown in Fig. 8, the end of the screw w will protrude intothe path of the head of the hammer or the lug r2 thereon and lock thesame against forward movement; butwhen the armisturned,say,aquarter-revolution the screw will be withdrawn out of thepath of the hammer-head, so as to permit the latter to operate. As aconvenient means for holding the arm W in a vertical or inclinedposition, withthehammer locked or unlocked, as may be desired, said armmay have attached thereto or formed integrally therewith a'spring w',having a catch w? thereon, adapted to engage a catch or notch formed inthe side of the receiver at the limit of the forward movement of the armor a similar catch at the limit of its backward movement, so as to lockthe arm in either of the two positions mentioned, with the hammer lockedor unlocked, according to the position of the arm.

The letter Y denotes an L-shaped sighting device, the shorter arm ofwhich is horizontal and provided with a sight-notch y, while the uprightarm thereof is fitted in a tube or tubularprojection y' on the receiverand may be held at any desired height by the protruding end of thethumb-screw,'which secures the top plate and wedge-block to thereceiver, as shown in Fig. 8, the upright arm being vertically grooved,as at y2, to receive 'the pointed end of the screw and prevent the armfrom turning. A second groove, as at 4,13, is provided, so that whendesired the arm may be turned partly around to bring the sight-armparallel with the gun-barrel, in which position it will be held by thethumbscrewenga'ging said slot ya.

I thus provide a very efcient automatic `rapid-tire gun composed of veryfew parts as compared with guns of` this class heretofore in use andmuch simplified and improved in construct-ion and the generalarrangement of its parts, so that the waste of material and cost ot'manufacture is decreased, while the durability and efficiencyk of theapparatus is greatly im proved` and the' several parts of the gun areadapted to be easily and quickly assembled or taken apart without theuse of tools.`

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the spiritand scope of lmy invention, and hence I do not desire to be restrictedto the exact construction and arrangement of parts shown and described.

The operation of the gun Will be readily understood from the foregoingdescription,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. A belt of cartridgeshaving been introduced into the passage-way of the receiver, so that thefirst cartridge is in proper position to be extracted from the belt, andthe eXtractor-ngers having beenpreviously retracted by manipulating thehand-pull or handle on the piston or plunger, so that said fingers maysnap over the iianged head of the cartridge, the said handle is drawnback to the limit of its rearward movement, so as to extract thecartridge from the'belt, and is then released, so that said cartridgemay be introduced into the cartridge-chamber or breech of the gun-barrelAand a second car-A tridge grasped by the extractor-fingers while thebreech-block is locked in tiring position. The gun is now ready forfiring, and by pulling the trigger the wedge u will be drawn backbetween the finger t4 on the breech-lock or locking-piece T and thetailpiece s/ of the Sear, thereby rocking the latter on its pivot `andreleasing the hammer, the release of which also effects the release ofthe cushioning device h ha, whereby the hammer is forciblyimpelled withthe firing-pin by the action of the arm h5 on the buffer h. When theball passes the port in the barrel communieating with the gas-conduit,the gases of discharge will enter said conduit and operating against theplunger forcibly drive the actuating-bar and its attached parts backwardagainst the action of the spring g to be advanced by the retractileforce of said spring. On the rearward movement of the actuator acartridge will be extracted from the belt by the extractor-fingers andcarried back under the cartridge-depressing arm O, by means of which andthe coperation of the actuator and breech-block, as hereinbeforeexplained, the cartridge will be properly positioned to enter and thenforced into the cartridgechamber n2 when the breech-block moves forwardinto firing position, such block being locked in the latter position bythe swinging arm or locking-piece T, which is depressed by contacttherewith of the depending arm or cam device t3 of the actuator whenmoving forward. At the same time the `feed-slide will be moved outwardto permit'the feeddog to snap behind the next cartridge in the belt. Asthe actuator continues its backward movement the releasing device t2,depending from its rear end or cross-head, will slide under the curvedarm or arms t on the locking-piece T, carried by the breech-block, andlift said lock, so as to unlock the breechblock and permit the latter tomove back- IOS Ilo'

ward, which movement is effected by contact of the shoulder or shouldersg5 on the actuator with the bifurcated portion or upper end of the armp4 of the breech-block, thus forcibly driving the latter backward.Before reaching the limit of its rearward movement the actuator contactswith the buffer h, compressing the buffer-spring, and just before thebreech-block has reached the limit of its rearward movement it is alsocushioned by contact of the rear end of the swinging locking-piece Twith the said buffer or the depending arm 72,5 thereon. By the rearwardmovement of the breech-block the empty shell is drawn out of thecartridge-chamber or breech of the gun-barrel and ejected, as previouslyexplained, just before the limit of the rearward movement of thereciprocatory structure is reached and while the next cartridge is stillabove the chamber formed between the breech and breech-block. Duringthis backward movement the hammer and firing-pin mounted in saidbreech-block will be backwardly impelled thereby, and the cross-head ofthe hammer will slip past the sear by the engagement of the lug r2 onsaid head with the inclined portion of the sear, whereupon the latterbeing downwardly spring-pressed will drop down in front of said lug andprevent the forward movement of the hammer until released. As thebreechblock nears the limit of its backward movement it rocks thecartridge-depressing arm so as to depress the latter and point thecartridge in position to be shoved into the cartridge-chamber when thebreech-block advances. As before explained, the cartridgedepressing armis held up or maintained in a horizontal position by the engagement ofthe cross-head o3 thereon with the T-shaped slot in the actuator, fromwhich it vis released just an instant before the breech-block trips thedepressor, and on the forward movement of the actuator the dept-essor isheld down or maintained in its depressed position by contact of thecam-faced head of the projection o3 with the under side of the dependingportion g4 of the actuator until the breech-block has advancedsufficiently to insure the entrance of the cartridge into thecartridgechamber, whereupon the depressor will be raised by thebreech-block and held in a raised position to receive the next cartridgeextracted from the cartridge-belt and then as the actuator moves backwill be engaged by the latter and held up until the cartridge has beencarried to a position to be'pointed for entrance into thecartridge-chamber. As the cartridge is shoved into the cartridgechamberthe breech-block is driven home,and the extractor-catch Q snaps over thefiange of the cartridge, while the l'n'eech-block T locks thebreech-block in firing position, the feedslide having been moved inwardin the meantime by the positive action of the actuator,

so as to lodge a cartridge in the throat,where it is seized by theextractor-ngers If the trigger V be now drawn back by the operator, thefiring-pin will be released, and the above action will be repeatedautomatically, repeating the firing of the gun so long as the operatorsfinger is held against the trigger. To automatically effect the releaseof the iringpin the instant the breech-block is locked, the pin 154 onthe curved arm t of the lockingpieceT is adapted to ride over and pulldown the front end or iiexible extension of the trigger-piece U when thelatter is rest-ing with its wedge-like terminal u on the rear end of thetailpiece of the scar, and such release at the proper time is insured bythe positive action of the actuator, the lower end of the depending armt3 of which contacts with an inclined part or shoulder on thelocking-piece T, depressing the latter and locking the breech-block, andby the same movement the tiring-pin is released.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In combination with the receiver having a transverse passage-way fora belt of cartridges, the actuator for the breech mechanism, thegas-impelled piston for moving said actuator in one direction,and aspring for moving the same in the opposite direction, a slide with meansfor moving the cartridge-belt having a direct connection with a forwardextension of the actuator; said extension having a part arranged at anangle to the line ot' movement of the actuator and engaging the slide,whereby the latter is reciprocated at each reciprocation of theactuator; substantially as described.

2. In combination with the reciprocatory actuator operatively connectedwith the breech mechanism, a passage-way through the receiver for a beltof cartridges, a reciprocatory slide having a pawl adapted to advancesaid belt when the slide is impelled in one direction and to recede toposition for engaging another cartridge when the slide is moved in theopposite direction, said slide having a slot therein and a portion ofsaid actuator extending through said slot having a part arranged at anangle to the line of movement of the actuator so as to move back andforth therein for directly operating the slide when the actuator isreciprocated; substantially as described.

3. In combination with the reciprocatory actuator operatively connectedwith the breech mechanism, a passage-way through the receiver for abelt'of cartridges, a reciprocatory slide having a pawl adapted toadvance said belt when the slide is impelled in one direction, and torecede to position for'engaging another cartridge when the slide ismoved in the opposite direction, said slide having an angular slottherein and an angular portion of said actuator extending through saidslot so as to move back and forth therein and having a part arrangedatan 'angle to the line of movement of the actuator for directly op- IOOIIO

crating the slide when the actuator is reciprocated; substantially `asdescribed.

4:. In a rapid fire gun, a reciprocatory breech-block, in combinationwith a relatively stationary cartridge-depressing rocking arm, and meanson'said block for 'engaging and depressing said arm when the block movesrearward and for raising it when the block moves forward together with areciprocatory actuator and means carried thereby for engaging and"holding said arm in its raised and depressed positions duringreciprocatory movement of the actuator;

substantially as described.

5. In a machine-gun, the cartridge depressing and pointing rocking armhaving adjacent to its pivot, back of the cartridge-manipulating portionof the arm, a pair of pendent lugs arranged in different verticalplanes,

one on each side of said pivot, in combination with the reciprocatorybreech-block having oppositely-inclined portions or cam-surfacesthereon; one of said lugs being'arranged in -the path of and'adapted tocontact with one of said inclines so as to depress said arm whenmovingiin one direction, and the other lug arranged in the path of andadapted to contact with the other incline so as to raise said arm whenmoving in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

6. In a rapid-fire gun,the cartridge-depressing rocking arm having apair of pendent lugs nearits pivot, back of the cartridge-manipulatingportion of the arm; one lug being located in front of and the other inthe rear of said pivot, in combination with the reciprocatorybreech-block having parallel `grooves adapted to receive and guide saidlugs and terminating in oppositely-inclined surfaces one of which isadaptedtc contact with one lug and depress said arm when moving in onedirection and the other to contact with the other lug and raise saidarm` when moving in the opposite direction; substantially as described.g

7. In a rapid-fire gun,the cartridge-depressing rocking arm having onedepending lug in `front of its pivot and another in the rear thereof, incombination with an underlying recip" rocatory breechblock having'longitudinaly grooves or slots in its upper, surface forming ways orguides to receive said lugs; said slots terminating at opposite ends inoppositelyinclined portions, one of which is adapted to contact with oneof said `lugs and depress said yarm when the breech-block is movingrearward and the other incline to contact with the other lug and raise.said arm when the breechblock is moving forward; substantially asdescribed.

8. In combination with the actuator for the breech mechanism operativelyconnected with the Ybreech-block for imparting a Vreciproca-` torymovement thereto, an intermediate cartridge-depressing rocking arin,andmeans whereby said arm is depressed by the breechblock on the backwardmovement thereof` and raisedwhen the bret-iaclfi-blockv is movedforward; said rocking arm having a part adapted to be engaged by theactuator on its rearward movement and positively held up until thecartridge has been carried into position for the'actionV of thebreech-block, whereupon said arm will be released by the actuator and bealso engaged on the rearward movement of the actuator and positivelyheld up until the cartridge has been carried into position for theaction of the breech-block, where- Y upon said arm will be released bythe actuator and depressed by the breech-block for pointing thecartridge to enter the cartridgechamber; substantially as described.

10. In'combination with the actuator for the breech mechanism and meanswherebyit is impelled backwardly by a force resulting from a dischargeand forwardly by a springin which power is stored by the aforesaidforce, said actuator being operatively connected with the breech-blockfor imparting a reciprocatory movement thereto, an intermediatecartridgedepressing rocking arm, and means whereby said arm is depressedby the breech-block o n the backward movement thereof and raised whenthe Vbreech-block is moved forward;

IOO

said rocking arm having'a part` adapted to be eng'agedby the actuator onits rearward movement and positively held up until the cartridge hasbeen carried into position' for the action of the breech-block,whereupon said arm will be released by the actuator and depressed by thebreech-blockfor pointing the cartridge to enter the cartridge-chambersubstantially as described.

1l. In a rapid-fire machine-gun, the combination with the actuatoroperatively con nected with the breech-block, so as to impart areciprocatory movement to the latterfof an interposedcartridge-depressing rocking arm having a depending lug thereon in frontof its pivot and another lug back of itsipi'vot for engagement with thebreech-block, and'mea'ns wh'ere'bythe latter will engage said lugs and.depress said arm when moved in one direction andi-aise the's'ame whenmoving in the opposite direction, together with meanscary ried'by theactuator, adapted'to engage an element on said arm andmain'tain it in ahorizontal or raised position until the cartridge has been carried'backto a position to be dropped in front of the cartridge-chamber,

whereupon said arm will be released by the actuator and depressed by thebreech-block;

substantially as described.

12. In combination with the cartridge-depressing rocking arm and meanswhereby it is depressed by the movement of the breechblock in onedirection and raised by the movement thereof in the opposite direction,a projection on said arm having a cross-head and a T-shaped slot in aportion of the actuator adapted to receive the neck and head of saidprojection when the actuator is moving rearwardly so as to insure ahorizontal position of the arm until the cartridge has been carried backto a position to be dropped in front of the cartridge-chamber;substantially as described.

13. In a gas-operated rapid-lire gun, the combination with the receiverfor the breech mechanism and the water-jacket having a gas-conduitcompounded therewith, of the latter having an elongated slit therein, ofa piston working in said conduit, a sliding cover having a connectionwith said piston through said slit, and a handle or pull-piece formanually operating the piston independently of its adaptability forautomatic action;

substantially as described.

14. In a rapid-fire machine-gun, the receiver for housing the breechmechanism and an actuator housed in said receiver and operativelyconnected with said mechanism, in combination with the water-jacketcontaining the gun-barrel and a gas-conduit compounded with apiston-cylinder having an elongated slit therein, together with a pistonworking in said cylinder carrying a sliding cover which is connected tothe piston through said slit, and a handle or pull-piece connected tosaid cover to adapt the gun for manual as well as automatic action;substantially as described.

15. In a gas-operated rapid-fire gun, a cra-..

therewith; said water-jacket having an integral gas-conduit with acylinder adapted to receive a reciprocatory piston and a hollow post orcoupling-piece connecting with the forward part of the gun-barrelcoincident with an aperture in the latter to establish communicationwith the conduit through said post; substantially as described.

16. In a rapid-'lire machine-gun, the receiver consisting of anelongated trough-like body adapted to receive the breech mechanismformed integrally with a water-jacket containing a gas-conduit andadapted to receive a gun-barrel having a port registering with a portcommunicating with said gasconduit; substantially as described.

17. In a rapid-fire machine-gun, the receiver consisting of an elongatedtrough-like body adapted to receive the breech mechanism having acylindrical water-jacket formed integrally therewith; the latter havinga gasconduit compounded therewith and constructed to receive agun-barrel having a port registering with a port communicating with saidgas-conduit; substantially as described.

18. In a rapid-lire machine-gun, the receiver consisting of an elongatedtrough-like body, adapted to receive the breech mechanism and having anopen top provided with a removable cover and an open rear end providedwith a vertically-slidable detachable wedge-block; said trough-like bodyhaving a tapered integral tubular extension containing a gas-conduitprovided with a port adapted to register with a port in a gun-barrelalso contained in said tubular extension; substantially as described.

19. In a gas-operated rapid-tire gun, the combination with a cartridgefeeding, loading and tiring mechanism and a reciprocatory actuatoroperatively con nected therewith and adapted to be impelled in onedirection by a force resulting from adischarge and in the oppositedirection by a spring in which power is stored by said force, agasconduit having a port communicating with a port in the forward partof the gun-barrel and a piston independent of the actuator fitting acylindrical portion of said conduit; said piston having a handle orpull-piece for manual operation thereof independentlyof its adaptabilityfor automatic action; substantially as described.

20. In a rapid-fire gun, the actuator for the breech mechanismconsisting of a longitudinallyslidable bar constructed with means foroperatively engaging said mechanism and having a forward angularextension having a part arranged at an angle to the line of movement ofthe actuator for operative engagement with an angular slot in thefeed-slide; substantially as described.

21. In combination with the actuator having the angular extension havinga part arranged at an angle to the line of movement of the actuator, thefeed-slide slotted to receive said extension so as to connect saidactuator and slide and adapt them to reciprocate in planes at rightangles to each other; substantially as described.

22. In a gas-operated rapid-fire gun, a breech-block having a firing-pinmounted therein, and mechanism for locking the same in tiring positionand for unlocking them in turn, in combination with an actuator having alimited movement independent of the breech-block, a power-storingcushioning device therefor adapted to first cushion the actuator andthen the breech-block as each approaches the limit of its backwardmovement, and means for utilizing the power thus stored for impellingthe tiring-pin; substantially as described.

23. In combination with the breech-block and firing-pin carried thereby,and means for locking the same in firing position, the reciprocatoryactuator and connections between the same and the breech-block allowinga lim- IOO ited movement only of one independently of the other, meansfor cushioning the actuator and breech-block near the limit of theirrearward movement; means for imprisoning the power stored in cushioningsaid devices to adapt said power to be utilized in impelling theiiring-pin when it is released, andmeans for releasing said cushioningmeans and firingpin when the breech-block is locked in firing position,substantially as described.

24.-. In a machine-gun, the longitudinallybored breech-block carrying afiring-pin movable freely back and forth within said bore, means forlocking the breech-block in firing position, a reciprocatory actuatorconnected to said breech-block so as to impel the same while allowing alimited movement of the one independently of the other, a cushioningdevice for said actuator independent of the hammer for the firing-pinand adapted to store power when cushioning the actuator to be utilizedin impelling the firing-pin when the latter is released, and means forreleasing said cushioning device and firing-pin when the breech-blockislocked in firing position.

25. In combination with the breech-block carrying the firing-pin andhammer, a reciprocatory actuator for impelling the breechblock having alimited movement independent thereof, means for cushioning said actuatorand breech-block,vand means for ,releasing said cushioning device,iiring-pin and hammer when the breech-block is locked in iring position;said cushioning means being independent of the hammer but adapted tostore power which is utilized in impelling said hammer when the latteris released.

26. In combination with the reciprocatory actuator and breech-block andconnections between the same allowing a limited movement only of oneindependently of the other, a cushioning device adapted to first cushionthe actuator and then the breech-block as each of said parts approachesthe limit of its rearward movement.

27. In combination with the reciprocatory actuator and breech-blockconnected together in such manner that one may moveindependently of theother to a limited extent only,

and means for successively cushioning said actuator and breech-block aseach nears the limit of its rearward movement and storing the power usedin cushioning said parts, means for releasing and utilizing the powerstored by said cushioning means in impelling the firing-pin,substantially as described.

28. In combination with the reciprocatory breech-block and the actuatortherefor, the firing-pin carrying a hammer and slidable longitudinallyin a bore through said block, means for cushioning said actuator nearthe limit of its rearward movement, and means forutilizing the powerstored by said cushioning means vfor impelling the firing-pin when theactuator and breech-block move forward and the firing-pin is released;said cushioning means being independent of the hammer andadapted to actindirectly thereon only when the latter is released by the forwardmovement of the breech-block.

29. In a machine-gun, the combination with the receiver, and theactuator and breechblock slidably arranged therein,of the breechblocklock comprising a slideway having an abutment and a swinging trailingarm or locking-piece carried by the breech-block adapted to engage saidabutment and lock the breechblock when in iring position, said armhaving an upwardly and forwardly extending projection, and a coactingcam device carried by the actuator adapted to positively engage anddepress said swinging arm on the forward movement and to engage saidprojection and lift the said arm on the backward movement of theactuator, substantially as described.

30. In a machine-gun, the combination with the receiver, and theactuator and breechblock slidably arranged therein, of the breechblocklock comprising a slideway having an abutment and a swinginglocking-piece carried by the breech-block and having its trailingportion provided with an upward forwardly-curved arm or projection, thefree end of said locking-piece being adapted to engage said abutment andlock the breech-block when in firing position, and a cooperating cammember carried by the actuator adapted to engage said curved arm andlift the locking-piece on' rearward movement of the actuator, therebyunlocking the breech-block; substantially as` IOO the actuator, togetherwith a firing-pin and trigger and sear devices arranged to effect therelease of the firing-pin byinterfering with said swinging arm;substantially as described.

32. In a rapid-fire gun, the reciprocatory actuator and the breech-blockimpelled thereby, in combination with a cushioningdevice for saidactuator adapted to store power when cushioning the same, means forimprisoning said device when power is stored therein,

means for impelling the actuator to and fro,r

a'iiring-pin, a hammer independent of said cushioning device, and meansfor utilizing the power thus stored for impelling said firing-pin whenthe actuator is advanced; substantially as described.

33. In a rapid-fire machine-gun, the combination with thelongitudinally-reciprocatory actuator for operating the breechmechanism, ofthe transversely-reciprocatory feed-slide for feeding abelt of cartridges transversely

